CORVALLIS - Dave Ungerer joined the Oregon State football team before last season and thought he could make a big impact as the special teams coordinator.

He had a All-American punt returner, Groza Award winning place-kicker, veteran specialists and a deep athletic group to block and cover.

It didn't turn out as expected.

The punter quit the day before training camp. Sammie Stroughter wasn't available to return punts much of the year due to injury and personal issues.

Kicker Alexis Serna added punting, which he wasn't suited for. Trying to do both took away from his place-kicking.

Ungerer persevered and made the best of what was available. At least the coverage teams were some of the best in the country.

He gets a restart this season. Stroughter is back, the specialists are more stable, there's a punter and another group of group of underclassmen are ready to go.

"Hopefully, we'll come out of the gate a little bit better this time," Ungerer said. "We played better as the year went on and made things happen. We've made a lot of progress.

"I know the kids better and they know me. They understand the schemes better. The big thing for me is we have more of a pool with our specialists."

Justin Kahut was groomed to be the place-kicker. The Clackamas High alum has a big leg in a compact body, just like Serna.

That's an area of no concern. Last year's holder, Taylor Kavanaugh, returns to help him out.

However, the battle for a punter hasn't been easy. Three tried out in the spring, two were scrapped and two more were added to the competition during training camp.

True freshman Johnny Hekker of Bothell, Wash., won the job this week. He's a 6-foot-5 athlete who was a quarterback in high school and played basketball.

"He's been a little more consistent day-to-day, so he doesn't have the highs and lows of the others," Ungerer said. "None of the punters are refined, but they are not raw. They are in the middle ground. They have a good basis of understanding of what we are trying to do, and we are just trying to round out a couple of rough edges."

Another improved specialist area is long snapper. Marcus Perry was recruited two years ago and finally joined the team now that there's scholarship room.

Ungerer was able to develop backups in Alex Linnenkohl and Walker Vave last year. They weren't ready then, and the starter had a history of injuries.

"That alone makes us much better," Ungerer said of the depth at long snapper.

What he's most excited about are the returners. Stroughter averaged 15.7 yards a punt return in 2006 and scored three touchdowns.

"Sammie does things that are hard to teach," Ungerer said. "He makes a coach look good. When you get that kind of ability back there, it really enhances what you are doing."

James Rodgers has the speed and moves to break off long runs on kickoff returns. Patrick Henderson and Rodgers both had some work there last season, so they'll be back there again.

Then look for younger players such at Brandon Hardin, Tim Clark, Keith Pankey and Dwight Roberson to make their marks here with big hits and blocks.

It will be difficult to replace the all-around work of Gerard Lawson, but these guys will try.

"From there, all our cover guys, they have been in the system now," Ungerer said. "They understand what we are trying to get done. We have a good group of cover guys with our linebackers and defensive backs who make up the majority of our cover teams. The kids have a good enthusiasm for what we are trying to do. They like what we are doing."

Even starters such at Bryant Cornell, Keaton Kristick and Brandon Hughes will have an opportunity to make plays on special teams. They started out here and don't want to give it up.

They were standouts in high school and didn't compete in these areas then, but found joy in them in college.

"Coach likes putting athletes on the field," Kristick said. "He likes seeing speed and people making plays. It's an extra opportunity to get an extra tackle. I didn't know what to expect when I first did this, but it was my way to get on the field. Now I think it's exciting."

So while special teams last year didn't cost the Beavers a game, it was a source of worry each time. Now, coach Mike Riley and Ungerer feel they can win in this part of the game the way they did the previous two years.

"We've got more parts in place," Riley said. "We've got a year under our belt with Dave. He just continued things we've done in the past. I think we've had great special teams growth. Things look good to me on the field. It's all in place and we now have to go do it."